BBC in impartiality row after an editor employed by gang-rapist’s legal professionals
The BBC is embroiled in a brand new impartiality row after the company’s Africa Editor Mary Harper was employed by gang-rapist Yaqub Ahmed’s legal professionals.
Ms Harper, who works for the BBC World Service, argued in opposition to Ahmed being deported to Somalia.
He was deported in August following a protracted authorized battle stated to have value as much as £1million.
Insiders have reportedly forged doubt on whether or not Ms Harper sought permission from the BBC earlier than being employed by the legal professionals.
A supply instructed the Times the BBC has strict tips and processes that management exterior engagements for his or her employees.
They stated: ‘Had a request been submitted then there would have been a dialog with the supervisor about [it].’
The BBC is embroiled in a brand new impartiality row after the company’s Africa Editor Mary Harper was employed by gang-rapist Yaqub Ahmed’s legal professionals
Ms Harper, who works for the BBC World Service, argued in opposition to Ahmed being deported to Somalia. Pictured: Ms Harper in Mogadishu
A BBC spokesperson stated: ‘There is nothing within the BBC’s editorial tips that forestall employees appearing as professional witnesses who’re required to be goal and neutral of their proof.’
Ms Harper, 58, appeared on the first tier immigration tribunal in Hatton Cross, after being employed as an professional witness by legal professionals representing the rapist.
Answering questions earlier than three immigration judges, she warned Ahmed could possibly be focused by terror group Al Shabaab as a result of it might wish to ‘punish’ him for raping a 16-year-old woman in London.
She claimed he could possibly be harassed by Somali safety forces and wrongly labelled a British spy. He would additionally battle to discover a job in Mogadishu’s booming development trade as he lacked the correct abilities, she stated.
Yaqub Ahmed was deported in August after a protracted authorized battle reported to have value £1million
Her proof, delivered in each a written report and through cross-examination on the tribunal, appeared to again Ahmed’s extraordinary attraction that deporting him was incompatible with no fewer than six of the 18 articles that make up the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).
Ms Harper this month didn’t reply to questions on how a lot she was paid to behave as an professional witness and the BBC declined to say whether or not she was obliged to declare any exterior earnings.
But a barrister who works on related instances instructed the Mail On Sunday that professional witnesses may be paid as much as £2,500 for producing a report in authorized aid-funded instances like Ahmed’s. They are moreover paid as much as £800 a day for showing at a tribunal.
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for remark.
